Luke 6:31-35

6:31 Treat others ¹  in the same way that you would want them to treat you. ² 

6:32 “If ³  you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners ⁴  love those who love them. ⁵  6:33 And ⁶  if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ⁷  sinners ⁸  do the same. 6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, ⁹  what credit is that to you? Even sinners ¹⁰  lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full. ¹¹  6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. ¹²  Then ¹³  your reward will be great, and you will be sons ¹⁴  of the Most High, ¹⁵  because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people. ¹⁶ 

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¹ tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.

² sn Jesus’ teaching as reflected in the phrase treat others in the same way you would want them to treat you, known generally as the Golden Rule, is not completely unique in the ancient world, but it is stated here in its most emphatic, selfless form.

³ tn Grk “And if.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. This is a first class condition, but the next two conditional clauses are third class conditions, so that stylistic variation is probably at work.

⁴ sn Here the term sinners may refer to people who had no concern for observing the details of the Mosaic law; these were often treated as social outcasts. See L&N 88.295.

⁵ sn Jesus’ point in the statement even sinners love those who love them is that disciples are to go farther than sinners do. The examples replay vv. 29-30.

⁶ tc ‡ Three key mss (Ì⁷⁵ א* B) have “for” here, but it is unlikely that it was present originally. The addition of conjunctions, especially to the beginning of a clause, are typically suspect because they fit the pattern of Koine tendencies toward greater explicitness. NA²⁷ has the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

⁷ tc Most mss (A D L Θ Ξ Ψ Ë¹³ 33 Ï lat) include γάρ (gar, “for”) following καί (kai, here translated “even”), but a few important mss (א B W 700 892* 1241 pc) lack the conjunction. The inclusion of the conjunction seems to be motivated by clarity and should probably be considered inauthentic.

⁸ sn See the note on the word sinners in v. 32.

⁹ tn Grk “to receive”; but in context the repayment of the amount lent is implied. Jesus was noting that utilitarian motives are the way of the world.

¹⁰ sn See the note on the word sinners in v. 32.

¹¹ tn Grk “to receive as much again.”

¹² tn Or “in return.”

¹³ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the outcome or result. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started in the translation at this point.

¹⁴ sn The character of these actions reflects the grace and kindness of God, bearing witness to a “line of descent” or relationship of the individual to God (sons of the Most High). There is to be a unique kind of ethic at work with disciples. Jesus refers specifically to sons here because in the ancient world sons had special privileges which were rarely accorded to daughters. However, Jesus is most likely addressing both men and women in this context, so women too would receive these same privileges.

¹⁵ sn That is, “sons of God.”

¹⁶ tn Or “to the ungrateful and immoral.” The word “people” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.